Finishing Learning 2.0

Woohoo! I am done with Learning 2.0! It was definitely an interesting experience, especially since I was a little weary at first. I am not the most technologically advanced person, but I was happy to explore new learning tools.

I think my favorite things were exploring google, listening to podcasts and finally understanding what the heck an RSS feed was! I felt really accomplished and hip after that assignment.

I can definitely see myself using a lot of these tools in the future, as a student and as a librarian.

As for ways to improve--I really liked the site and how the assignments were broken down, but it was frustrating to find broken links or be sent to pages with videos that didn't work. Other than that, I think the program is a great way to introduce students to new tools.

Woohoo!

Library 2.0

So what does Library 2.0 mean to me?

I think it means being able to evaluate technology, become aware of its use and try to apply it to your own library, making the user's experience more well rounded and give them easier access to information. The idea of librarianship is a changing one, and the knowledge about different kinds of technology is imperative. Library 2.0 is like a brand new car with all the bells and whistles. Its not just books, card catalogs and reference desks...its new, fun ways of gaining information!

What does Library 2.0 mean to other people?

Michael Stephens-- "Into a new world of Librarianship"

Stephens believes that the library is user centered, that a 2.0 librarian embraces web 2.0, doesn't "buy technology for the sake of technology" , is aware of changes in advancing technology and is a trendspotter.

I agree with Stephens! I think that the Librarian in a Library 2.0 should be on top of trends, be aware of the user needs and embraces advances in technology because it makes the user's experience even better.

I liked this task!

Exploring Other Web 2.0 tools

So I really enjoyed this exercise! I enjoyed checking out sites that were award winning, and it got me to go outside of just looking at the same pages every time I am on the internet.

Some of the sites I looked at were

Urbanspoon.com-- a site that allows readers to review restaurants and also gave price range, had a link to a menu and also included critic reviews. I can see myself using this site in the future!

Yelp.com-- I have definitely used Yelp before, especially when I was living in a new places and didn't have any idea about where to eat, what to do and where to go! Its very handy.

Pandora.com--- is a site that I have been using for years...Im pretty sure I used it before it even got popular! This is such a fantastic site that allows the user to choose a station and then also have similar artists. Its great for homework time as well as for parties, and also a great way to find out about new artists.

As for google , I have used many of these tools for school, work and for my personal life! I constantly was using the calendar this summer to see what my work schedule was, and to keep my life more organized!

I have used google docs to collaborate on projects and assignments for school and for past jobs..its really cool that different people can edit a document and its an easy way to keep organized.

I've also played with Google Sketch up before, and its a really fun way to build. It takes a little bit to get used to the program, but its a creative way to pass the time.

Goodness, I love google!

Zotero

So I think that I like Zotero, but I also was hoping for something a little more magical than what I found. I was hoping for something a little different than End Note-- the software that UB offered us, but it seems to be pretty similar.

I didn't really love that Zotero was only an option for Mozilla, which meant that I had to download a whole new internet browser to get the add on. Once I did download it all, I was able to utilize the software to organize some of the information that I was looking at for another class.

I liked that Zotero helped me organize an article, and that I can come back to my library and pull a citation right off of there. Pretty cool! I will try to get in the habit of using zotero when I am writing papers and doing projects. But if I continue to just use Google Chrome, I may choose to use Endnote. I haven't decided just yet!

My Library! https://www.zotero.org/lefevre2/items

Tagging!

Delicious reminds me alot of a site that I already use which is pinterest.com. While pinterest is a way to collect images and ideas, it also links you directly to the site that the image comes from, and you can organize into different boards, much like the stacks. (I actually found sites that people had saved onto delicious, that I myself had saved on pinterest.) I do like the idea of using these sites to collect ideas, and is a great way to organize the things that interest you.

Thinking as a librarian, which I like to do when I am doing these learning 2.0 tasks, I can see why these sites are helpful. IF you find something interesting at work, you can easily access the same site at home without having to send yourself a link or relook something up, which is such a pain in the butt. It is nice to have a place on the internet where all of your favorite sites are organized and easily accessible. As a librarian, you can use sites like delicious much like you would use an RSS feed. It is an simple way to keep your interests just a click away!

So in conclusion, I think I am going to stick with pinterest but can see why delicious is a popular choice.

RSS Feeds

I still haven't decided how I feel about RSS feeds. I think that I am too comfortable with checking the miscellaneous sites that I like everyday, and can't really wrap my head around having all the site updates in one place.

I can see why RSS feeds appeal to alot of people. When you are trying to get information from multiple sites, especially ones that update frequently and are ever changing, the use of the feed technology is definitely useful. As a librarian, it would be helpful to be able to check multiple same subject websites. I thought that the Library of Congress RSS feeds were really interesting, and could see my self using them in the future. http://www.loc.gov/rss/#librarians

I also loved the Unshelved site that we were directed to was also really great. http://www.unshelved.com I could see my desk covered in these comics in a few years.

RSS feeds also are probably really helpful when you are following politics, especially an election race. The feed will allow those interested to keep up to date without having to check multiple sites.

Though I am still undecided about whether I plan on using RSS feeds right now, I can see myself using them as a professional. I think I will just have to ease myself into it!

Library Wikis

So it thought that this learning 2.0 exercise was pretty interesting. I have been a contributor on wikipedia for a class while I was an undergrad, and do use wikipedia quite often. I haven't thought about thinking about wiki's in relation to libraries, but once I looked at some of the sites, I was surprised by how well they work. I especially liked the site http://booklovers.pbworks.com/w/page/14034179/Princeton%20Public%20Library because 1. i am a serious book lover and 2. I think its an easy way for many people to interact and discuss books. The site allows people to speak their mind about books, and give people advice before they borrow books. Very cool!

I like the idea that wikis can be edited by anyone and is a easy to use site, which is especially important when you have a non-computer using clientele. When I work in a library, I will be sure to use them!

The Dewey Decimal Rap

This video is super cheesy but also hilarious. And informative.

I have been a Youtube user for years and really love the site. It has given me access to new music, tv shows, interviews, news, interesting how-to's and hours and hours of entertainment. I think it would be interesting to use a youtube like site in a library setting because it would give people another medium of learning. If a library recorded book readings or interviews done with authors or other important people in the library world, it would give the local community a chance to learn about new things going on without leaving their homes. It would be interesting to see if that could work in conjunction with a library blog or website.

Exploring Podcasts

NPR was constantly on in the background as I grew up. Because of this, I turned to podcasts of the programs my parents and I followed after I moved away from home. Not only did it satiate my homesickness, but I also was able to keep up with my favorite radio characters (David Sedaris, Ira Glass and the Car Talk brothers). So I was already familiar with podcasts before this assignment but it was really interesting to look through the other sites and see what was offered.

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of variety there was in the podcasts I looked at. People interested in politics, music, Harry Potter, sewing, mystery, comedy and everything in between all had an option. I also was impressed by ItunesU. I knew what it was because my professor in 505 actually uses it in our class for the online class she also teaches, but didn't know how many options and interesting things you can learn from it. It is a site that Adult Learners can use to learn new things and I also was so impressed by how accessible it was. I may even use it for myself in the future!

Using Flickr

As seen in my last post, I can link up my blog and Flickr! I decided to post this picture because books have been my favorite thing to collect since I was a child, ans my big reason for becoming a Librarian. I can't see myself in a profession where I am not surrounded by books!

Flickr was pretty easy to set up and I enjoyed using it. I was impressed by how easy it was to link up my two accounts and can see why people like using this!

More books!

Bookshelf 1

Bookshelf 1, a photo by KatieMahala on Flickr.

My favorite thing to collect!

Learning 2.0 -The beginning!

After reviewing the Learning 2.0 site, I am definitely getting excited to learn about more things offered in the technological field! I have always been secretly jealous of people who knew how to make website, or are extremely comfortable with computers and hopefully by the end of this semester I will be one of those people!

Our first prompt is to talk about the 7 and 1/2 life long learning habits and I know which ones that I struggle with. Habit #2--"Accept responsibility for your own learning" is the one that I most definitely need to work on the most. I hate to admit it but I am an inherently lazy person, and I struggle with maintaining habits and hobbies. This is something that I am aware I need to work on, and I hope going back to school is going to help me learn these habits so I can become a lifelong learner!

Lets hope this works!